Looking for Murcott Mandarin (Florida Honey Tangerine)

11 years ago

Hi all,

I am looking to grow a Murcott Mandarin tree, which I think is also known as a Florida Honey Tangerine. I can't find this type of tree anywhere for sale in CA. Four Winds has it listed in their varieties but not in their online shop and they say they are not going to be restocking this variety.

I have had this variety back when I lived in NY and used it for juicing. It is incredibly juicy!! And the deep orange color is divine. The taste is great, too.

Can anyone tell me where I can find a tree to grow, or recommend something very similar... Color, juiciness and taste are my main concerns.

Thanks!

Comments (6)

sautesmom Sacramento
11 years ago
Lowe's usually has a good selection of citrus, or if you are in the Sacramento area, Green Acres Nursery also has a good selection of citrus. Try calling them.

Carla in Sac
Fascist_Nation
11 years ago
I'd rather have a Tango mandarine--derived from and tastes like a Murcott, but "seedless!"
Related Discussions
Honey tangerine seed
Q
Comments (2)
There are several mandarin-type fruits with "honey" in their name, but if you mean 'Murcott', which is most often called "Honey Tangerine," then yes, it nearly always comes true-to-type from seed and has a juvenile period of just a few years before it starts bearing. You could certainly graft onto them, although they are not much used for that purpose -- there are other rootstocks that are better.
...See More
Tangerine/Mandarin Recommendation
Q
Comments (10)
I have four trees in the mandarin family: Robinson and Dancy tangerines and Satsuma and Murcott mandarins. I put them in four years ago and only the Robinson and Dancy have borne heavily so far (I picked all the buds off the first two seasons). I got the four varieties specifically because the Satsuma was supposed to be the earliest of the possible choices to fruit (Sep-Nov), The Robinson is supposed to be (Oct-Dec), the Dancy (Nov-Jan), and the Murcott (Jan-Mar). The Robinson and Dancy are right on schedule. What fruit the Satsuma has had so far (about a dozen each in two years) was in the same timeframe as the Robinson, but I've read that young trees often don't have their normal seasons. Also I had to cut it back heavily at the end of 2007 because it had a really sprawling growth pattern and the long limbs were being pulled to the ground by the fruit. The 2008 crop was likely affected by that (but it *was* much better supported). The Murcott's growth is lagging way behind the rest, largely because of its location (too much shade), and has only set about five fruit over the past two years. Of the taste, the few I've gotten from the Murcott were absolutely wonderful -- surpassing all three others. The Dancy is the easiest to peel, has fewer seeds than the Robinson, and a better taste. The Satsuma peels easier than the Robinson and less easy than the Dancy. It's sweeter than either, but I think I prefer the taste of the Dancy over it. Of them all, I'd have to say that the Dancy and the Murcott are my favorites. In the end, though, my real goal was to have fresh tangerines/mandarins available over a six month period. Mind you, my wife (the *real* tangerine fanatic in the family) tried Clementines (Nov-Jan)for the first time this past season and has requested I add one. I've also long considered adding a Ponkan (Jan-Mar) as I've heard they are excellent eating. I'll probably do it as soon as I figure out where the heck to shoehorn in two more trees...
...See More
Most flavor-packed, powerfully, intensely flavored mandarin/tangerine?
Q
Comments (10)
After more research, it seems like Page might offer good, deep, strong flavor I'm after. But the University of Florida says it should be planted near a pollinizer such as Lee. See here: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ch067. Page is a Mineola Tangelo/clementine hybrid and Lee is an Orlando Tangelo/clementine hybrid. My neighbor who runs a plant nursery at his house has a nice big Lee for sale. He's had it for a few years. I could get the Lee from him and get a Page and plant them together- match made in Heaven? Would planting them together like that help with any disease problems? I've also found out about the new Sugarbelle mandarin. Read about it: https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=sugarbelle+mandarin. After reading about it, I'm definitely getting at least one, might even get two, heck why not? My question is should I forget about the Page/Lee combo and just get a Sugarbelle? It seems my research has led me to believe that Page and Sugarbelle have similar (strong, deep, complex, intense) flavors, but the Sugarbelle has the advantage of being more disease resistant and hardy. And are Kishus overrated? Are they mild? I am still thinking about getting one. I will be buying from Harris Nursery. Mandarins: http://www.harriscitrus.com/store/index.php?cPath=5 Tangerines: http://www.harriscitrus.com/store/index.php?cPath=21. Look at all the varieties! What about Kinnow, brown select, Ortanique, Temple tangor, Fina Sodea, etc..
...See More
Anyone successfully growing seedless tangerines in FLORIDA?
Q
Comments (4)
Thanks but I already have mature old Florida standards Minneola/Honeybell, Dancy, Orlando Tangelo, Oneco Mandarin (old 1800's variety), Murcott, etc. Looking to plant a few of the newer very popular highly rated "SEEDLESS" varieties such as: 1. Kishu 2. Ponkan 3. Gold Nugget 4. Page - not new just don't have one 5. Pixie 6. Xie Sahan Satsuma 7. Tango (Newer Seedless Murcott variety - UCA release) 8. Shiranui/Sumo/Dekopon - From Japan - Very expensive if you can find them in the specialty stores such as Whole Foods, etc. I need to get input from people that are growing these in Florida to see how they do here. i.e Washington Navel is an inferior fruit when grown in Florida as it can't handle our heat & humidity well. Which is why we grow Florida Navel varieties here like the Glenn & Varney.
...See More
Starfinder
11 years ago
Check you local Costco. I'm in LA and just picked a Murcott in my local Costco. Only $18 for a 5 foot tree. It was from Willits and Newcomb nursery (I believe they are in the Bakersfield).

Tony
hoosierquilt USDA 10A Sunset 23 Vista CA
11 years ago
yipla, if you can't find one at your local Costco, see if Monterey Bay Nursery is propagating the Murcott. If so, see what nurseries in your area order from Monterey Bay (they are a wholesale nursery, BUT if you live close by, you can drive over and buy direct.) If you can't find the Murcott, consider the Page mandarin. Also extremely juicy, dark orange and exceptionally flavored. My favorite mandarin for juicing.

And, Fascist Nation, the Murcott is not the same variety as the W. Murcott Afourer, which is what you're thinking of when you're referring to the Tango mandarin, which an irradiated W. Murcott Afourer and seedless. It, too, is a very delicious mandarin, but a completely different variety that the Murcott. Confusing to be sure, but here's a link to the Murcott from UC Riverside's Citrus Variety Collection. Then, look up the A. Mrcott Afourer and the Tango, and you'll see. :-)

Patty S.

Here is a link that might be useful: UC Riverside Citrus Variety Collection: Murcott Mandarin

This post was edited by hoosierquilt on Tue, Feb 26, 13 at 9:35
Starfinder
11 years ago
Second what Patty said. Found a tango recently in LA Osh for $20 from Four Winds. Very healthy plant. Osh has a good selection of citrus.

Tony
dukeoforange
10 years ago
Starfinder -- which OSH in LA did you visit? Never seen a tango at OSH ever ... and I've been to quite a few OSHs. Any other interesting finds at that store? Certain OSHs seem to have more citrus varieties than others. For instance the one in Pasadena has a lot, and I've also had good experiences with the one in Fountain Valley. I think it depends a lot on the manager ordering the trees, if he's into citrus or not.

Looking for Murcott Mandarin (Florida Honey Tangerine)

Comments (6)

sautesmom Sacramento

Fascist_Nation

Related Discussions

Starfinder

hoosierquilt USDA 10A Sunset 23 Vista CA

Starfinder

dukeoforange

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US